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Toronto's Impact on The Mixedwood Plains

Many, if not all, of the Mixedwood Plains major cities are very developed and urbanized, especially Toronto. Being one of Canada’s major suppliers of fresh water, fertile soils and high grade agricultural land, this area attracted settlers early on.

Excesive human urbanization however, has caused many negative kickbacks. Factories, De-forestation and loss of animal diversity are all consequences of creating one of Canada’s most developed and economically successful city. Smog from greenhouse gases released into the environment is constantly a problem. These greenhouse gases are hazardous to the body and also cause many of irreversible atmospheric problems, such as climate change and global warming. Changes in animal behaviour, high sea levels and acid rain are all potentially catastrophic effects of greenhouse gases.

Water pollution is also becoming an extensive problem in Toronto. Many large companies are disposing sewage waters, toxins, pesticides and garbage into the Great Lakes. This affects all aquatic wildlife in the great lakes eventually affecting humans. These hazardous chemical wastes can severely damage health of humans, fish and any other aquatic wildlife.

These toxic pollutants can also alter the genetic makeup of an organism, resulting in either extreme deformities or death. These toxic pollutants are often consequences from farms using herbicides and pesticides. Farms also often use large amounts of chemical fertilizers that are washed into the water ways damaging the water supply and life within it. Many examples of deformities include large fish tumours or even a three-legged frog.